Archive for January 10th, 2008

We don’t really mind that Andy Roddick‘s guns aren’t as big as Men’s Fitness would’ve liked (btw, did you know that a design consultant resigned after Andy blogged that those arms weren’t his?)…

…because the all-natural Andy isn’t bad at all.

What is bad is the new Spring 2008 look that Lacoste has draped on Andy. I never thought I’d say this, but I almost wish he’d just go back to Reebok, because even though their partnership produced more disasters than not, at least they produced… something. See this new shirt for yourself after the cut…

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(Editor Update: We are now editing at Tennis Now — as of July 2012 — and still keeping an eye out for our favorite lanky Scot, Andy Murray. Check us out there!)

Not to be outdone by the other hunks showing off in Melbourne, the lanky and shaggy Andy Murray, fresh from his win in Doha last week, does some time in preparation for next week’s Australian Open. Cut the hair already!

Scoreline: At this week’s Kooyong Classic, the Scot lost 1-6, 4-6 to to Safin in his first true test against a top player (and yes, even though Safin is ranked in the 50s, the Russian’s clearly ace), but rebounded with a routine 6-2, 7-6 (7) win over local Brydan Klein.

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The Australian summer is so hot, boo hoo. Oh wait, those are tears of joy that I’m crying because all the guys have to practice shirtless. Don’t overheat, y’all. Drink lots of water, okay?

Terry cloth trend: I’m definitely all about the big and loose wristbands the guys are wearing right now. I don’t know where that’s coming from, but Juan Carlos Ferrero wore two in white in his Auckland match, and Marat Safin does black as he practices in Melbourne Park in between exhibition matches at this week’s Kooyong Classic.

Scoreline: In this pre-Aussie Open warm-up, Marat beat Andy Murray 6-1, 6-4 on Day 1 but lost to the other Andy — Roddick — 6-3, 6-3 the day after. On Saturday, the Russian will face off against Fernando Gonzalez for third place.

More photos: While we’ve already covered this topic in TSF’s tattoo watch, we have another look at Marat’s back tattoo (of a sun) and him practicing on the court — shirtless, of course — after the cut…

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World No. 24 Juan Carlos Ferrero shakes off his off-season rust in New Zealand; he’s made it to the finals of the Heineken Open after defeating Julien Benneteau 6-3, 6-4. His opponent is Philipp Kohlschreiber, who crushed our favorite Argentinian Juan Monaco 6-2, 6-1 in the other semi.

FYI: Juanqui’s wearing the new Spirograph-inspired Lotto style which we saw previously on David Ferrer at TMC Shanghai.

German player Benjamin Becker starts his 2008 campaign Down Under with a loss to eventual champion Michael Llodra in the quarters of last week’s Next Generation Adelaide International.

Becker also starts off the year wearing a new line of clothes from sponsor Boris Becker — the company, not the legend. (Btw, he and Boris are not related.) For 2008, gone are the argyle patterns, but the orange and white colorway stays the same. Later today I’ll post photos of the the clothes, along with what “Benni” thinks about them and fashion in general.

We spoke to Benni via e-mail about the offseason, his goals for the coming year, and about his tennis shop in Merzig, Germany (it opened in the Spring of 2007).

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How did you spend your off-season? I spent my off season mostly in Florida and was in Dallas over Christmas with my girlfriend. Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend Christmas at home in Germany but it was easier [for] my preseason schedule and my flight to Australia. But I stilled enjoyed the holidays in Dallas.

What are your goals for 2008? One of the goals are certainly to participate in the Olympics. Other than that i will try to get back to the Top 50 again and maybe even higher.

How is your relationship with Boris Becker? Does he give you advice? [Boris and I] haven’t really talked much about my game, but we’ll do that more in the fututre when we have some time. Usually we [have met] at places where it was tough to get a good conversation in because we were at a press conference or at an exibition.

You have a store in your hometown of Merzig. How involved are you with its operation? I’m involved but not as much that it would distract me from focusing on tennis. Whenever i have a chance I go visit and try to help a smuch as I can during that time. [They have one store and don’t plan to open any more.]

Doping is all over the news these days. Has this changed the climate in the locker rooms? I don’t think that the climate has changed but obviously we are all trying to be careful what supplements we take and what medicine if we are sick. That was part of it before and hasn’t changed.